(Ali's POV)

        It's been three years. Three years since One Direction took me from the place that kept me prisoner, since I faced my father and sent him back to jail. Surprisingly, that first year with them was one of the most insane yet progressive years of my entire life.

Blake, the guy who beat me up in school? He asked me out at the last dance of the year two years ago. I had told him that if he ever touched me or Reese again I would personally turn him into Angel and Shasta's dinner. let's just say, Blake apologized profoundly and we all became pretty good friends. I still can't believe how that doofus asked me.

FLASHBACK

Simi and Reese are banging on my door and yelling at me. Zayn is trying to convince me to wear a varsity jacket with the outfit El, Dani, and Perri and the rest of LM picked out for me. I was sitting on my bed ignoring them all, of course.

My window shuddered and Blake jumped through. I threw a pillow at him for scaring me. He asked me why I wasn't ready to go to the dance.

"I'm not going, doof."

"Awe, why not?" Blake pulled his best puppy dog eyes.

"Dances aren't my thing." I replied simply.

"They aren't mine either. But I'm willing to go if this girl that I've had a crush on for a while will go with."

"Who's this girl?"

"Well, not to name names, but she has this awesome voice that could make the devil cry and these big brown eyes that just say, 'butter couldn't melt in my mouth' even though she's one dangerous chick."

"Oh, really?" I lifted an eyebrow at him.

"Yeah, well. I like a good fight."

"Mhmm."

"So? Would ya go with me?" I giggled and nodded.

"Yes!"

"ALI! Open this damn door, for Christ's sake you are going to this dance!" Blake and I both laugh at Simi.

"Can't a girl be asked out in peace?" I shout back.

"You what?" Reese, Simi, the boys, LM, El, and Dani all scream.

I shoo Blake out of my window and get ready.

END of FLASHBACK

After that day, Melissa never tried to mess with me again. She still shouts silly comments but they don't bother any of us.

As for Reese? He ended up going out with Faith and they are the sweetest couple I've ever seen. Simi often complains about how it's not fair that Reese and I are in a relationship but she isn't. That is, until the new guy Tyler came to town. Simi and him have been very cozy lately. Reese and I have a bet going on when they'll finally go out and who will ask who.

"Niall! Give me my freaking carrots before I throw you in the pool!"

"Louis! It's two degrees outside." Liam yells after the carrot crazed freak.

"That's why I'm threatening it, Li."

"Boys! We have a dinner to get to. I swear, your kids are more responsible than you." Simon screams from the door.

"But Uncle Si!" Louis whines.

I roll my eyes and link arms with Blake. Reese and Faith do the same and Simi walks next to Tyler. We're all going out for dinner with the boys families for Christmas. Dani is at Liam's side, El at Lou's and Perri and Zayn. Oh, and Zerri got married over the past three years. Still an adorable couple. They moved in together so we have one less couple in our giant house, though, there are plenty more. 

Another crazy thing? Harry and Jade from Little Mix are now going out. Poor Niall is still single but he said something about this girl he met when he went to get a check up from his stab wound. Even though it was three years ago, the doctors say that it cut one of his lungs slightly so he needs to get it checked out every now and again. Anyway, Niall said he really liked the girl and he plans to see her over the break. Simi and I can't wait to make ship names.

"Harry! C'mere!" Jade yells and Harry bolts down the stairs, almost tripping on the last step.

"Curly!" I shout and hug him. He still hangs out in my room if I have my now rare nightmares but most of the time it's Reese. Not Blake, Louis would skin me alive... and then Blake.

"Ready to leave?" Simon asks obviously annoyed. the boys sigh dramatically but nod anyway. We exit the house and get into three different cars. Simon, Niall, Harry, Jade, Zayn, and Perri in one; Louis, El, and the rest of Little Mix in another, and Reese, Faith, Simi, Tyler, Blake and myself in the last. Reese is driving our car because he - being the oldest - was the first to get a driver's license.

When we get to the restraunt, the guy at the front desk thing leads us into a private room where the boys' families are already waiting. There are enough people to take up two of my classrooms so I'm amazed we could all fit comfortably in this place.

We talk and laugh and have the time of our lives. At the end of the night, I can't wrap my head around the idea that everyone that was here and more are now my family. Mine. I was a girl that was abused and sent back to an orphanage dozens of times and now I have this huge loving family that will always be there for me. Fate has a strange way of working things out, that's for sure.